Lovell White Durrant and Freshfields make up half of partners abroad

Both Lovell White Durrant and Freshfields have shown their determination to expand internationally by making up nearly half their new partners in overseas offices this year.

Lovells made up its largest ever number of partners 23, 10 of whom are based overseas. Its total number of partners now stands at 163.

Seven of Freshfields' 17 new partners are also based overseas, with four new partners in the firm's European offices and three in its Asian offices.

The firm now has 203 partners worldwide.

Four of Lovells new partners are in its three-year-old Chicago reinsurance and consumer credit litigation office bringing the total there to seven.

Andrew Walker, Lovells senior partner, said: "In selecting new partners today, the key considerations are the business case for expanding an area of practice and, as ever, the quality of the candidates, their legal expertise and their ability to contribute to the development of the firm."

The appointments at both firms will take effect from 1 May.